Fifth Timezone Travel
Zhangjiajie & Fenghuang Ancient Town 6-Day Tour
峰林沱江 · 张家界凤凰 6 日
Two full days in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, plus half a day at Tianmen Mountain, then transfer to Fenghuang Ancient Town on the evening of Day 3. Experience the nightscape of Tuojiang River's stilt houses, Miao ethnic sour fish soup, and Shen Congwen's former residence, connecting landscapes with the cultural charm of this border town.
The perfect blend of nature and culture: Spend the first two days exploring Zhangjiajie National Forest Park—Yuanjiajie and Yangjiajie's pinnacle forests, Tianzi Mountain's sea of clouds, Jinbian Stream and Ten-Mile Gallery. On the morning of Day 3, walk the glass skywalk at Tianmen Mountain, then transfer to Fenghuang Ancient Town (approx. 2.5 hours) in the afternoon to enjoy the nightscape of Tuojiang's stilt houses. On Day 4, explore the ancient town—visit Shen Congwen's former residence, Hongqiao Bridge, and take a boat ride on Tuojiang River, or join a half-day Miao village tour to experience Western Hunan's countryside. Day 5 features morning mist at Nanhua Mountain and free time in the ancient town. On Day 6, we'll arrange your transfer to the airport or train station.
This tour includes 5 nights in 4-star hotels (3 nights in Wulingyuan + 2 nights in Fenghuang), private guide and dedicated vehicle throughout, all entrance tickets and cable cars for the National Forest Park and Tianmen Mountain, plus a boat ride on Tuojiang River. Perfect for travelers who want to experience both the Avatar-inspired pinnacle forests and the romantic atmosphere of Border Town in one trip. Best enjoyed during spring and autumn.
Tour highlights行程亮点
- Yuanjiajie's Huzhu Column and First Bridge Under Heaven
- Yangjiajie's Natural Great Wall peak wall
- Tianzi Mountain's Imperial Brush Peaks in sea of clouds
- Half-day glass skywalk at Tianmen Mountain
- Nightscape and boat ride on Fenghuang's Tuojiang River
- Shen Congwen's former residence and Miao ethnic culture
Day-by-day itinerary每日行程
D1Arrive in Zhangjiajie · Wulingyuan
After pickup from the airport or train station, check into your hotel in Wulingyuan. In the evening, take a leisurely stroll at Xibu Street to watch Tujia hand-waving dances and bonfire parties, and try local specialty rice and Tujia cured pork. Review the next two days' itinerary with your guide. You can also purchase snacks and water for the mountain tour at a supermarket near the hotel, as prices in the mountain area are slightly higher. Get some early rest. Travel Tips: Pickup available from Hehua Airport or Zhangjiajie West Railway Station. Wulingyuan's elevation is about 800 meters, making it cool in summer. For the next day's mountain tour, wear comfortable shoes and bring rain gear and sun protection. Accommodation: Wulingyuan.
D2Yuanjiajie · Yangjiajie
Early morning entry to the park and take the Bailong Elevator up to Yuanjiajie: at Mi Hun Tai and the First Bridge Under Heaven, see the densest concentration of sandstone pinnacle forests. The Huzhu Column is the prototype of the floating mountains in Avatar, taking about 3 hours. Enjoy a simple lunch on the mountain. In the afternoon, proceed to Yangjiajie—the 'Natural Great Wall' peak wall at Wulongzhai and Tianbofu offers a different landscape experience from Yuanjiajie. The trails are steep but less crowded, taking about 2.5 hours. Take the cable car or eco-friendly bus down in the evening. Dinner will be Tujia 'Sanxia Guo' (three-pot stew). Travel Tips: Yangjiajie has many steps; elderly travelers or children may opt for the Ten-Mile Gallery instead. Non-slip shoes are essential. Accommodation: Wulingyuan.
D3Tianzi Mountain · Jinbian Stream
Morning at Tianzi Mountain: Helong Park, Imperial Brush Peaks, and Fairy Scattering Flowers offer classic panoramic views of the thousands of strange peaks. After rain, you might see rolling seas of clouds, taking about 2.5 hours. After taking the cable car down, transfer to the small train at Ten-Mile Gallery. In the afternoon, hike along Jinbian Stream for about 2 hours (from Water Surrounding Four Gates to Great Oxygen Bar Square), seeing the Divine Eagle Guarding Whip and playful monkeys, ending on a flat note. Return to the hotel in the evening to soak your feet and relax. Travel Tips: Jinbian Stream is 7.5 km in total; today we cover the most scenic section. Keep food secure in the macaque area. Depart early tomorrow for Tianmen Mountain. Accommodation: Wulingyuan.
D4Tianmen Mountain · Transfer to Fenghuang
Early morning cable car to Tianmen Mountain: walk along the glass skywalk and Guigu Skywalk clinging to the cliffs, enjoy a forest bath at the summit taking about 2 hours. Take the through-mountain escalator down to Tianmen Cave and photograph the sky through the cave entrance from below at the 999-step Heavenly Ladder. Lunch in the city. In the afternoon, drive approximately 2.5 hours to Fenghuang Ancient Town, arriving in time for the evening lighting of Tuojiang River: the reflections of stilt houses and Hongqiao Bridge cover the river surface, with folk songs from bars on both banks rising and falling. Dinner will be Miao ethnic sour fish soup. Travel Tips: Today involves multiple transfers; your luggage will be sent directly to the hotel by our dedicated vehicle. Bring a jacket as the temperature difference at night in Fenghuang is significant. Accommodation: Fenghuang.
D5Deep Dive into Fenghuang Ancient Town
Morning at Shen Congwen's former residence and the Ancient Town Museum: understand Western Hunan through the manuscripts of 'Border Town'. Walk along Dongzheng Street to Hongqiao Bridge, and from its second floor, enjoy panoramic views of both sides of Tuojiang River. Then take a 30-minute boat ride on Tuojiang River, where the boatman will show you Jumping Rocks and the Ten Thousand Pagoda. Lunch in the ancient town will be blood duck and bracken stir-fried with cured pork. Afternoon free time with two options: A) Join a half-day Miao village tour (approx. 1 hour drive), observing silver forging and experiencing the 'door-blocking wine' welcome ceremony; B) Explore the ancient town at your leisure—visit Wanshou Palace, Chongde Hall, and Nanhua Gate, or find a riverside café to relax. In the evening, watch the live performance of 'Cuicui' (optional). Travel Tips: The ancient town's stone-paved streets are best navigated in soft-soled shoes. Purchase silver jewelry from reputable stores and ask for an invoice. Accommodation: Fenghuang.
D6Morning Mist at Nanhua Mountain · Departure Transfer
Early morning climb up Nanhua Mountain or walk along Tuojiang River's pathways: the stilt houses in morning mist and the sound of laundry washing create the most tranquil time of day in the ancient town. For breakfast, try a bowl of Fenghuang rice noodles. Morning departure transfer arranged according to your travel plans: Fenghuang Tongren Airport (approx. 40 minutes), Huaihua South Railway Station (approx. 1.5 hours), Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport (approx. 2.5 hours, direct transfer by our dedicated vehicle). Travel Tips: Fenghuang has no high-speed rail station, so please allow ample time for your departure as suggested by your guide. Recommended souvenirs include ginger candy, dried kiwi, and small Miao silver items. Accommodation: None (departing the same evening).
What's included费用包含
- 5 nights in 4-star hotels (3 nights in Wulingyuan + 2 nights in Fenghuang)
- Breakfast + 5 lunches (including Miao ethnic sour fish soup)
- National Forest Park entrance ticket (multiple entries) and Bailong Elevator
- Tianmen Mountain entrance ticket and cable car
- Tuojiang River boat ride ticket
- Private guide and dedicated vehicle throughout
- Airport or high-speed rail station transfers
Photos from the road实拍照片
